Report: Keenan Reynolds cleared by U.S. Navy to play for Ravens

of the Navy Midshipmen of the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field on December 12, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 12: Keenan Reynolds #19 of the Navy Midshipmen passes the ball in the first quarter against the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field on December 12, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Rookie Keenan Reynolds has been cleared by the U.S. Navy to play this season for the Baltimore Ravens, as first reported on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Friday.

Former @NavyAthletics QB Keenan Reynolds can play in the NFL and fulfill his military obligation in the Naval Reserve Force. @dpshow

The Navy, like Army and Air Force, requires graduates to serve in the military after graduation. But exceptions are sometimes made that allow graduates to pursue their careers while in the Reserves. When those exceptions are made for professional athletes, they are usually required to work at military recruiting stations during the offseason, and to do military work after their sports careers end.

Reynolds was drafted in sixth round (182nd overall) last month, though it is unclear if he will be used as a backup QB, or as a running back or wide receiver. In his senior season at Navy in 2015, he passed for 1,203 yards and eight TDs while rushing for 1,373 yards and 24 TDs. In the process, he set the NCAA record for career touchdowns (88 rushing and 31 passing).

In addition to Reynolds, New England Patriots second-year long snapper Joe Cardona has been given permission to play during the 2016 season, according to the Pro Football Talk report.